In brief
On Wednesday night, a helicopter crash near Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington State resulted in the tragic deaths of four soldiers belonging to the elite 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment. The victims have been identified, and an investigation into the cause of the crash is currently underway.
TACOMA, Wash. — The Army has released the names of four soldiers killed Wednesday when the military helicopter they were on crashed near a base in Washington state. The victims are Chief Warrant Officers Andrew Cully and Andrew Kraus, and Sergeants Donavon Scott and Jadalyn Good. Cully, 35, hailed from Sparta, Missouri; Kraus, 39, was from Sanibel, Florida; Scott, 25, was from Tacoma, Washington; and Good, 23, was from Mount Vernon, Washington.The helicopter was on a routine flight training west of Joint Base Lewis-McChord when the incident occurred. The base is located about 10 miles south of Tacoma, under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Army Joint Base Headquarters. Preliminary weather reports indicated mostly clear skies with light winds at the time of the crash. The cause of the incident remains under investigation.Colonel Stephen Smith remarked on the dedication and selflessness of the soldiers, saying they “embodied the unwavering dedication, selflessness, and excellence that define the very spirit of the Army and Army Special Operations.” This tragic event marks the second fatal crash involving this elite unit in recent years, raising questions about the safety protocols in place for military aviation operations.
